Pucks of a Feather
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The Anaheim Ducks must part ways with Jakob Silfverberg

By Ed Stein

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 14: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts to scoring a goal as Justin Braun #61 of the San Jose Sharks looks on during the first period in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 14, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 14: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts to scoring a goal as Justin Braun #61 of the San Jose Sharks looks on during the first period in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 14, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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A member of the Anaheim Ducks for five seasons, Jakob Silfverberg enters 2018-19 in the final year of his $3.75M per season contract. It’s time to trade him or risk him walking away without compensation.

Jakob Silfverberg has been part of the Anaheim Ducks since he arrived from Ottawa in the Bobby Ryan trade in 2013. While Anaheim may have gotten the better end of that deal, its time for him to move on again.

The Big Trade

On July 5, 2013, the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa sent a ripple through the hockey world. Anaheim sent Bobby Ryan to the Canadian capital for two young up and comers, Jakob Silfverberg and Stefan Noesen. At the time of the deal, Ryan was entering the final year of his contract. It was obvious his next contract was going to be priced out of the cost-conscious Ducks budget range.

Ducks General Manager Bob Murray got busy and got a deal done. The main cog coming back to Anaheim was Jakob Silfverberg who scored 19 points for Ottawa in the previous lockout-shortened season. At the time, it seemed to fans that it was a slanted trade, but it was the best Murray could get.

Silf the Duck

Maybe Murray knew a little more than he was given credit for when the trade happened. Ryan, who was a three-time time 30 goal scorer with Anaheim, signed a big seven year/ $50M contract extension with Ottawa. He hasn’t been the same player since, averaging just over 17 goals a season in five years with the Sens.

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The Anaheim Ducks, on the other hand, found themselves a versatile right wing. Silfverberg could play in a variety of situations including special teams. He seemed to find his niche with Anaheim a year later when center Ryan Kesler arrived from Vancouver. Those two plus speedy left wing Andrew Cogliano form one of the leagues better shutdown lines.

Back Where We Started

Just as Ottawa gave Ryan an extension following the trade, the Ducks agreed to one of their own with Silverberg. He signed a four year/ $15M contract beginning with the 2014-15 season. That deal is now on its final legs.

Not an ideal situation for a team that finds itself in a minor transitional period. Murray faces the same situation now as when he acquired Silverberg. The 27-year-old is due for a raise, but it’s not going to be financially feasible to extend him again.

Movin’ On

Silfverberg has been part of the Ducks recent success. All good things must come to an end, however. Murray must now move him out in a deal similar to the one that brought him in. Money isn’t the only reason, but it’s a huge part of it.

Believe it or not, Silfverberg has scored an average of 0.9 fewer goals per season than Ryan has since the exchange. He has shown glimpses of tantalizing offensive excellence. Conversely, he has also shown extended periods of offensive invisibility. For all those who say his scoring is down because he plays on a defensive oriented line are missing one big point. If he was good enough to play on a scoring line, he’d be on one.

Silfverberg has been given opportunities to play on other lines and play other roles with the team, but he always finds himself back with Kesler and Cogliano. His skill set doesn’t mesh with a playmaker like Ryan Getzlaf. Two different coaches, Bruce Boudreau, and Randy Carlyle have come to the same conclusion.

Unfortunately for Silverberg, third line wings don’t get paid the $5M or more a year he’ll want on this team. It would be an unwise use of resources, that could be better used for other players. Linemate Cogliano signed an extension that kicks in this year for an average of $3.25M per season. It’s arguable that the latter has been far more valuable to the team over the same five year period.

The New Return

Murray has to see what the market is for Silfverberg. Asking objectively, who has the need for a “checking line” wing, that believes he could be the missing piece of the puzzle to their roster? Maybe Columbus, or Philly. He could also leave as part of a bigger trade to bring in a star player (contract) and used as cap relief for the Ducks to take on the additional salary.

Next: Unofficial fans guide to the Anaheim Ducks offseason

Whatever the Ducks get for him is better than letting Silfverberg leave as a free-agent at the end of the season for nothing. Anaheim’s return now is going to be greater than at the trade deadline. His new team will want him to integrate him into their lineup at the start of the season.

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